Robotic sample preparation system and method
First Claim
1. A method for operating a robotic sample preparation system for preparing product samples to be analyzed at a later time, comprising the steps of:
- filling an empty sample solution container with a predetermined amount of product sample to be analyzed;
moving said sample solution container containing said product sample to a dispensing station using said robotic system;
dispensing at said dispensing station an extraction fluid into said sample solution container containing said product sample to form a sample solution in said sample solution container;
moving said sample solution container containing said sample solution to an extraction station using said robotic system;
extracting components of said product sample into said sample solution so as to form an extracted solution in said sample solution container;
removing and filtering a predetermined amount of said extracted solution from said sample solution container using said robotic system and an extracted solution container; and
using said robotic system to dispense said predetermined amount of extracted solution from said extracted solution container into one of a plurality of sample preparation cups which are included in a sample container for later analysis of said extracted solution.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of and a robotic system for preparing product samples to be analyzed at a later time has a plurality of processing stations in different locations. Each station performs a different function of a process for preparing a product sample for later chemical analysis. A robot moves a first container between a container storage area and a prepared sample area for storing in a second container a product sample which has been prepared for analysis and in which the robot moves the first container from the container storage area to each of the processing stations in a predetermined sequence and then removes some of the prepared product sample from the first container and dispenses it into the second container which is located in the prepared sample area. A specific application of such a robotic sample preparation system is disclosed for use in preparing tobacco samples for analysis of nicotine and sugar content.
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Citations
44 Claims
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1. A method for operating a robotic sample preparation system for preparing product samples to be analyzed at a later time, comprising the steps of:
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filling an empty sample solution container with a predetermined amount of product sample to be analyzed; moving said sample solution container containing said product sample to a dispensing station using said robotic system; dispensing at said dispensing station an extraction fluid into said sample solution container containing said product sample to form a sample solution in said sample solution container; moving said sample solution container containing said sample solution to an extraction station using said robotic system; extracting components of said product sample into said sample solution so as to form an extracted solution in said sample solution container; removing and filtering a predetermined amount of said extracted solution from said sample solution container using said robotic system and an extracted solution container; and using said robotic system to dispense said predetermined amount of extracted solution from said extracted solution container into one of a plurality of sample preparation cups which are included in a sample container for later analysis of said extracted solution. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for operating a robotic sample preparation system for preparing product samples to be analyzed at a later time, comprising the steps of:
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filling an empty sample solution container with a predetermined amount of product sample to be analyzed; moving said sample solution container containing said product sample to a dispensing station using said robotic system; dispensing at said dispensing station an extraction fluid into said sample solution container containing said product sample to form a sample solution in said sample solution container; moving said sample solution container containing said sample solution to an extraction station using said robotic system; extracting components of said product sample into said sample solution so as to form an extracted solution in said sample solution container, wherein said extracting step comprises subjecting said sample solution to ultrasonic energy in order to extract components of said product sample into solution; removing and filtering a predetermined amount of said extracted solution from said sample solution container using said robotic system and an extracted solution container; and using said robotic system to dispense said predetermined amount of extracted solution from said extracted solution container into a sample container for later analysis of said extracted solution. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of operating a robotic sample preparation system for preparing samples to be analyzed at a later time, comprising:
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providing a plurality of processing stations in different locations each for performing a different function for a process of preparing a product sample for later chemical analysis; using a robotic system for moving a first container between a container storage area and a prepared sample area for storing a product sample which has been prepared for analysis, said robotic system moving said first container from said container storage area to each of said processing stations in a predetermined sequence; determining whether said first container is oriented in a proper direction for receiving a predetermined amount of said product sample; and said robotic system further removing some of said prepared product sample from said first container and dispensing said removed prepared product sample into one of a plurality of second containers in said prepared sample area. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28)
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27. A robotic sample preparation system for preparing product samples to be analyzed at a later time, comprising:
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a storage system for holding a plurality of sample solution containers; a weighing system for weighing a quantity of product sample dispensed into each of said plurality of sample solution containers; an extraction solution dispensing system for dispensing a predetermined amount of extraction solution into each of said plurality of sample solution containers after said quantity of product sample has been dispensed into each of said containers; an extraction system for extracting components of said product sample into solution in one of said plurality of sample solution containers to form an extracted solution; a filtering system for filtering a predetermined portion of said extracted solution; a second storage system comprising a plurality of containers for storing said predetermined portion of said extracted solution; and a robotic system for removing one of said plurality of sample solution containers from said storage system and for moving the removed sample solution container between said weighing, extraction solution dispensing, extraction, and filtering systems as well as for dispensing filtered extracted solution into said second storage system. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32)
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33. A method of operating a robotic sample preparation system for preparing samples to be analyzed at a later time, comprising:
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providing a plurality of processing stations in different locations each for performing a different function for a process of preparing a product sample for later chemical analysis; using a robotic system for moving a first container between a container storage area and a prepared sample area for storing a product sample which has been prepared for analysis, said robotic system moving said first container from said container storage area to each of said processing stations in a predetermined sequence; determining whether said first container is oriented in a proper direction for receiving a predetermined amount of said product sample; extracting components of said product sample into solution by dispensing an extraction solution into said first container and then subjecting said product sample and extraction solution to ultrasonic energy; and said robotic system further removing some of said prepared product sample from said first container and dispensing said removed prepared product sample into a second container in said prepared sample area. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. A robotic sample preparation system for preparing product samples to be analyzed at a later time, comprising:
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a storage system for holding a plurality of sample solution containers; a weighing system for weighing a quantity of product sample dispensed into each of said plurality of sample solution containers; an extraction solution dispensing system for dispensing a predetermined amount of extraction solution into each of said plurality of sample solution containers after said quantity of product sample has been dispensed into each of said containers; an extraction system for extracting components of said product sample into solution in one of said plurality of sample solution containers to form an extracted solution;
said extraction system comprising at least one ultrasonic probe for applying ultrasonic energy to said product sample and extraction solution;a filtering system for filtering a predetermined portion of said extracted solution; a second storage system for storing said predetermined portion of said extracted solution; and a robotic system for removing one of said plurality of sample solution containers from said storage system and for moving the removed sample solution container between said weighing, extraction solution dispensing, extraction, and filtering systems as well as for dispensing filtered extracted solution into said second storage system. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44)
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Specification